Meet Ethan Oliven, the Fall 2025 Commencement Student Speaker

Ethan Oliven is a senior at Michigan State University, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Economics.

Ethan Oliven is a senior at Michigan State University, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Economics. Originally from Palos Park, IL, Ethan plans to return to Broad to pursue a Master’s of Science in Accounting and a Master’s of Science in Finance. He has also accepted an offer to join EY-Parthenon’s strategy & execution team in Chicago as a summer associate for 2026.

We sat down with Ethan to hear more about his MSU memories ahead of watching him take the stage at Fall Commencement on Dec. 13^th, 2025.

I am someone who always thrives on the encouragement of others, and I have been fortunate to receive that at MSU in every aspect. Every mentor, friend, professor, and classmate who pushed me, checked in on me, or believed in me has shaped me into the person I am now.

That support is something that I strive to pay forward. It is one of the reasons why I wanted to be the student commencement speaker. This ceremony is a chance to honor the people who helped us get here and to recognize the strength we built together.

I want to speak about the journey we shared, reflect on the challenges we overcame, offer advice to the next generation, and thank the community that made all of it possible!

“I have so many incredible memories from MSU, from the energy of game days to my endless hours spent talking with friends in Broad,”-Oliven (top, left).

I have so many incredible memories from MSU, from the energy of game days to my endless hours spent talking with friends in Broad. However, two experiences really stood out to me as pivotal in my success and sense of belonging.

The first was going to Chicago with my business fraternity, Phi Chi Theta, during the fall semester of my freshman year. Spending the weekend getting closer with everyone in the chapter while visiting companies showed me the exact blend of ambition and community that I needed. It was the moment I finally felt settled at MSU.

The second was studying abroad in Prague and Budapest through Broad. Exploring two completely different cities, visiting companies across Central Europe, and learning alongside classmates gave me a new appreciation for how big the world is and how much there is to learn beyond a classroom. Those experiences changed how I think about business, people, and the world.

GBL385 (Business Law and Ethical Leadership) quickly became one of my favorite classes. Even though it met at 7 PM twice a week, I was always excited to go. The conversations about ethics, decision-making, and the gray areas of business felt different from any other class I had taken. It was collaborative, engaging, and made me think about the impact of business in a much more human way.

I am also currently in EC420 (Introduction to Econometric Methods), and while it is one of the hardest courses I have taken, I have developed a real appreciation for it. Econometrics is all about using data to measure relationships, test theories, and understand whether something actually matters in the real world. Oddly enough, in contrast to GBL385, this class started bright and early at 8:30 AM twice a week. It is challenging, but I highly recommend it to anyone who is curious about how data can show meaningful patterns in the world around us.

This is always a hot conversation topic whenever I ask friends about it. For me, the Minskoff Pavilion is my favorite place when I want to work while still being social. Then, the Gast Business Library is the best spot to focus because it is much quieter and just across the road from Broad. The real secret, however, is the Starbucks just off campus in Lansing, which easily became my favorite place when I needed a change of scenery or to spend a whole day focusing on something important.

I currently serve as president of the Accounting Student Association, helping connect students with leading global accounting firms and professional development opportunities.

Next, as the external vice president of 180 Degrees Consulting MSU, I led client acquisition efforts for the fall semester. Prior to this, I served as a consultant and a project manager on 3 consulting engagements. I was recently elected president for next year, and I am looking forward to continuing the work of our amazing organization!

I also helped co-found the Broad Analytics Association, a community that brought together students interested in data and analytics within business. Beyond those roles, I am an active member of Phi Chi Theta and serve as a peer career coach at the Russell Palmer Career Management Center.

My advice to students is to join clubs early, and if the club you want does not exist, start your own!

I started my time at MSU only knowing two people, which meant I walked into college with more questions than answers. I did not have a clear sense of direction or a group to rely on, so I had a blank slate. That experience taught me that growth almost always grows in uncertainty. My biggest takeaway is that you do not need to have everything figured out to move forward. If you stay curious, work hard, and surround yourself with people who push you to be better, you will find your place and your purpose.

Following my graduation, I am returning to the Broad College of Business to pursue a Master’s of Science in Accounting and then a Master’s of Science in Finance. Also, I have accepted an offer to join EY-Parthenon’s Strategy & Execution team in Chicago as a Summer Associate for 2026. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!